Joey Barton looks to have shot himself in the foot regarding his proposed move to Ibrox.
Barton recently tweeted: “Alan Stubbs has done a great job at Hibernian. Good to see. Proper football man. #Evertonian.”
Mark Warburton prior to the snub claimed, “He’s a very talented player in the Championship Team of the Year. I am sure he will have many suitors.
“Our job is to highlight what Rangers represent in terms of an opportunity. We can’t get near the salaries being paid down south, what we have to offer is an opportunity.
Photo source: Burnley Football Club.
“He’s an outstanding player who’s had an outstanding season. He is experienced, combative and very intellectual about football. When you speak to him, he is a very knowledgeable guy.
“Everyone has history. Everyone. How many years do you go back? The fact is that in the most recent season he was outstanding. And quite rightly named in that team of the year.
“That was our focus. We have looked at his fitness, looked at his impact on games and how that might benefit us. And also how we might benefit him.
“He is a very talented player, isn’t he? Forget some of the baggage you refer to, he is a very talented player. No doubt about that. A top Premier League player.”
It now seems highly unlikely that Burnley's, "Top Premier League Player" with baggage, will not be continuing his career at Ibrox.